Scholars urge devotion in Dhul Hijjah first ten days

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th May, 2026) Religious scholars and officials have described the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah as among the holiest and most spiritually rewarding days of the Islamic year, urging Muslims to devote the sacred period to prayers, fasting, charity and remembrance of Allah.

Special sermons delivered in mosques highlighted the religious significance of the days, emphasizing that while Dhul Hijjah is commonly associated with Qurbani and Eid-ul-Adha preparations, its deeper spiritual message often receives less public attention.

Talking to APP, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Muhammad Umar Butt said that the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah hold immense importance in the light of the Holy Quran and Hadith.

He said Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic Calendar, was regarded as sacred even before Islam, while islam further elevated its sanctity, particularly the first ten days. Referring to Surah Al-Fajr, he cited the verses, “By the dawn; and by the ten nights,” explaining that according to Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA), the “ten nights” refer to the first ten nights of Dhul Hijjah.

He said Allah Almighty taking oath by these nights reflects their greatness and elevated status. Quoting a narration from Musnad Ahmad, he added that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) declared that no days are greater in the sight of Allah, nor are good deeds performed during them more beloved to Him, than those carried out in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

Muhammad Umar Butt urged Muslims to increase recitation of Tahleel (La ilaha illallah), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) during these days. He further said that according to Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA), rewards for good deeds during this sacred period are multiplied many times over.

Highlighting the significance of Yaum-e-Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, he said it is among the most virtuous days in Islam, while the blessed days conclude with Eid-ul-Adha, when Muslims around the world offer sacrifices in obedience to Allah and commemorate the spirit of devotion and submission.

In a conversation with APP, Information Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Women Wing Islamabad, Sadia Saif, stressed the spiritual significance and blessings of the holy month and urged Muslims to increase worship, repentance, charity and remembrance of Allah during the first ten days.

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She said Allah Almighty declared four months as sacred in the Holy Qur’an, including Dhul Hijjah, Dhul Qa’dah, Muharram and Rajab, adding that Muslims are instructed not to wrong themselves during these sacred months.

She also reminded worshippers to recite Takbirat after obligatory prayers from the Fajr of 9th Dhul Hijjah until the Asr prayer of 13th Dhul Hijjah.

Concluding her remarks, she urged Muslims to make the most of these blessed days through sincere repentance, voluntary prayers including Tahajjud, helping others and avoiding actions that may harm fellow human beings.

Meanwhile, Ayesha, a Hafiza and Islamic scholar, described the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah as the most blessed days of the year and highlighted the immense rewards associated with worship during this period.

She said fasting during these days carries extraordinary reward, adding that according to Hadith, fasting for one day during the first ten days is equal in reward to fasting for an entire year, while worship during the nights is comparable to worship on Laylatul Qadr.

Ayesha particularly emphasized fasting on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, known as the Day of Arafah, which serves as expiation for the sins of the previous and coming year.

She urged Muslims to increase remembrance of Allah, recitation of Takbir and Tahleel, prayers, charity and recitation of the Holy Qur’an during these blessed days.

Discussing religious practices, she said voluntary fasting from the 1st to the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is highly recommended, while fasting on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the day of Eid-ul-Adha, is prohibited.

Speaking about sacrifice, she said Qurbani during the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah is obligatory for financially capable Muslims and is among the greatest acts of worship during these days.

She added that for pilgrims, these days are especially significant as they perform the sacred rituals of Hajj.

She concluded by urging Muslims to avoid sins and increase good deeds such as charity, voluntary prayers, maintaining family ties, serving parents and seeking forgiveness from Allah during the sacred days of Dhul Hijjah.

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